In Their Own Words

October 03, 1739

Oglethorpe Prepared Colonists for War with Spain

“…The General intending to publish the
War with Spain, in due Manner and Form; he gave Orders for all the Freeholders to be under Arms at Beat of
Drum, and that the Magistrates, in their Gowns, should
be on the Bench at Noon in the Court-House; whilst in
the mean Time he directed a proper Declaration to be
wrote, setting forth the Orders he received from his
Majesty’s Secretary of State, relating thereto; and also
another Paper, cautioning all Persons in this Province,
to have a watchful Eye upon any Negroes, who might October
attempt to set a Foot in it; forasmuch as many of them,
at the Instigation of the Spaniards, had run lately away
from their Masters in Carolina, and found kind Reception at Augustin: And moreover, the late Insurrection of
them in that Province, which was but newly suppressed,
gave Reason to apprehend, that some of such as had yet
escaped, might be lurking about in Georgia, in hopes to
make their Way to the Enemy; and in passing on,
might do great Mischief among our Settlers; promising,
as a Reward for taking them, what the Act here directs,
and withal, what the Government at Carolina promises
to pay, for every such runaway Negroe, delivered at
Charles-Town, alive or dead. When the General came
to the Court-House, where he found the Magistrates on
the Bench, he took his Seat by them: and the Militia,
who being drawn up before the Court-House, had
grounded their Arms, and were all come within the
Doors; his Excellence then made a Speech to them all,
suitable to the Occasion, commending that Chearfulness
which he observed to be in all Ranks of People, assuring them, that effedlual Care had been taken by him to
prevent any Enemy from coming on our Backs from the
West and South; and as we lay open only to the Sea,
we had already some Frigates cruising on the Coast to
protect us; and he had Assurance from the Government
of more Strength at Sea; as also some Expectation of
an additional Force by Land, to be sent him in a little
while. Then he put those Papers into my Hands, which
were prepared, directing me to read them to the People;
which I did, as audibly as I could; afterwards the Constables read them again to the Men, on taking up their
Arms; and next, they were affixed to the Doors of the
Court-House. Upon the General’s Return to his Lodgings five Cannon were fired, and the Militia gave three
handsome Vollies with their small Arms, as it were in
Defiance, without the Appearance of any Dread of the
Spaniards. …”